Chico & Coolwadda

Chico & Coolwadda, a pair of Los Angeles rappers known for their lighthearted gangsta approach, deliver the strongest traditions of West Coast rap. Remaining faithful to the regional style first established during the late 1980s and early 1990s by Too Short, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and 2Pac, the duo carries plenty of attitude without courting scandal. Instead they rhyme straight from the heart about the subjects closest to them—Cali sunshine, pimped-out cars, hot women, good-time parties, and an overall laid-back outlook. Life in their world is not portrayed as endless brightness, however; while they highlight life’s enjoyable side, they also confront the hardships they and others have endured. That mix of celebration and realism elevates them above the average rap act. Although they hail from L.A., Chico & Coolwadda are no performers playing roles—they are artists who voice whatever occupies their thoughts and emotions.

They express those perspectives over signature West Coast productions, teaming with some of California’s strongest beat-makers to craft deeply funky grooves and brightly catchy hooks rooted in Pacific Coast sounds. For their debut album, Wild 'n tha West, the duo collaborated with veteran producer Chris "The Glove" Taylor and Nate Dogg, among others, yielding the breakthrough single “High Come Down.” On the follow-up Parallel they expanded the circle further, enlisting Dogg Pound legend Daz Dillinger, G-Unit beat-maker No I.D., the contagiously sexy voice of Truth Hurts, and the widely esteemed raps of Defari. That effort produced the hit single “Land of Sunshine” and surpassed their first release in overall quality.